BURLINGTON — Sister Bernadette Brule, RSM (Sister M. Luke), 86, of the Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community, Vermont, died at Burlington Health and Rehab in Burlington on Feb. 11, 2014, in her 68th year of religious life.

Sister Bernadette was born in Barre, Vt., Dec. 3, 1927, the daughter of Eva (Chouinard) and Deneri Brule. She attended St. Monica Grade School and Spaulding High School and Mount St. Mary Academy, Burlington. Sister Bernadette received her bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, Burlington.

Sister taught in parochial schools in Burlington, Barre, Montpelier and Middlebury, and served in numerous parishes throughout the Diocese of Burlington teaching religious education.

Sister Bernadette entered the Sisters of Mercy on Feb. 2, 1946, and was professed on Aug. 19, 1948.

Sister was a lover of music and a wonderful musician. She played the violin, guitar, piano and autoharp. She was a member of the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra for 18 years and played violin with the musicians and choir at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, was choir directress in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Middlebury for 11 years. “I will play before the Lord, I will sing to Him my melody ...” These are words to a song written by Bob Dufford, SJ, that speak so well of Sister Bernadette. Her musical contribution to liturgy made participation a prayer to the Lord.

She is survived by her sisters Noela Ducharme, of Asheville, N.C., Laurette Knight, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Cecile Hogan, of Upper Marlboro, Md.; her nieces and nephews; and also by her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Mercy. She was predeceased by her parents, Eva (Chouinard) and Deneri Brule; and her sister Rita Routhier.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at Mount St. Mary Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Mount St. Mary’s.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy in support of their ministerial works, in care of the life and ministry administrator, 100 Mansfield Ave., Burlington, VT 05401.

Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington.